Different approach to the Power Rankings for Week 8. Oh, don't worry -- the usual suspects lurk around the bottom of the order. And, of course, there are plenty of slots you won't agree with ...

This week, with midseason approaching, we're going to try to provide some basis as to why teams are where they are and, to cite a Parcells-ism, are what they are. The only thing worse than trying to rank 32 clubs when over half of them are either 3-4, 3-3 or 4-3 is retyping a 2,500-word article after your Mac decided to AutoSave the wrong thing and AutoRecovery acted like it never happened. Yep, the old computer went all Warren Report on its owner.

In a similar vein, whatever report former Carolina Panthers general manager Marty Hurney gave owner Jerry Richardson wasn't enough to hide the fact that 1-5 does -- and has -- happened. You'll find the Panthers safely occupying the No. 28 spot below.

As for the top of the charts, the Atlanta Falcons might not be approaching any of Purple Rain's records, but they have top billing for the second straight week. If you have a problem with the ATL, or the CAR, let's hear it. @Harrison_NFL is the dropbox.